Thank you IBJamon for gifting me the collector's edition game for my birthday!

Fans of Final Fantasy games have been dazzled by their cutting edge graphics, likable characters, and the emotion filled music. While Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call doesn’t have stellar visuals, it certainly delivers with the plethora of characters and songs available to play. Select songs are offered from Final Fantasy I to XIII, Final Fantasy Legend II, Final Fantasy Fables, Chocobo’s Dungeon, Disidea Final Fantasy 1 & 2, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy Chrystal Chronicles, Final Fantasy Type-0, Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core and some songs from the movie Final Fantasy Advent Children. A couple of other Square Enix games have songs available as well including Bravely Default and Romancing SaGa 3. Over two hundred songs are bundled with this game and if you can’t find the one you’re looking for, chances are that it’s available to purchase for $0.99.

While the basic gameplay mechanics haven’t changed from the previous title, there are some slight changes and new game modes available. The main objective is to tap, slash, or hold in time with the notes as they slide across the screen. You will get awarded with bad, good, or critical depending on your timing. The final scores range from SS to F if you fail. The rhythmia awarded varies on your party, chain, rank, and tactics. You’ll also get a bonus if you have a character from the game song in your party.

Highlights:

Strong Points: So much more content than the original game with over 200 songs and 60 playable charactersWeak Points: Shards for unlocking characters were easier to get in the first game; paid DLC available; no ability to pause or resumeMoral Warnings: Cartoon violence, minor language, tight clothing

Rhythmia is accrued and earned for every song successfully completed. For every five-hundred rhythmia points, a new game feature or shard becomes available in the game. Some of the features available include unlockable songs and movies to play in the game’s media player or enhanced options for your street pass profile card. Crystal shards are needed to unlock potential party members. There are sixty built in characters and even more are available to purchase if desired.

Another method of gathering crystals is through playing the Medley Quests. They are broken down into three sub categories: short, medium, and long quests. The quests also have a recommended level number. For each completed quest, a higher level one becomes available. The song difficulties ramp up accordingly. Especially the level 90+ songs with the spinning arrows and the Ultimate difficulty rating. While challenging, they are not impossible to complete with the use of healing potions between songs and the option to retry the boss battles or even lower their difficulty rating!

Even though I enjoyed the Quest Medleys and the added airship levels, I missed the shorter and re-playable dark notes from the first Theatrhythm game. In this title, you cannot replay the quest medleys for more of the same colored shards. As a result, it will take a lot more game time to collect all of the shards to unlock all of the characters.

Quick games are still possible with the Music Stages where you can play individual songs sorted by the game/movie they are from. Rhythmia and experience is still earned by the active party members used. Each party member has unique stats like strength, magic, luck, agility, stamina and spirit. For a well-rounded party it’s wise to have characters with varying specialties. Cards can be earned throughout the game and with these cards, character stats can be further boosted in the CollectaCard Crystarium.

Boosted characters and party members can give players an edge in one on one battles. The Versus mode lets you challenge online, nearby, or AI opponents. Sadly, there hasn’t been anyone to play against in months. I still found the AI to be a worthy opponent and have yet to claim the top spot on the gold difficulty. I have already mastered the bronze and silver ranks. In the Versus Mode you can pick one of three songs from the three opponents ahead of you. When there are fewer than three opponents left then your options become more limited. If you lose a battle, you’ll be kicked back to the bottom of the ladder. If you know that you’re going to lose, you can avoid the lower ranking by exiting the game before the song is over. Even though I cannot find anyone online to play against, I still get street pass tags and unlock quest medleys as a result. There is plenty to do and enjoy in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call.

Given the chibi style artwork, there is some cartoon violence. At the end of a battle the party members will say a random phrase. One of the phrases has the word d*mn in it. Other than those issues this is a relatively clean game despite its teen rating. Any fans of the previous Theatrhythm game or any Final Fantasy entry should consider adding this game to their 3DS collection.

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Christ Centered Gamer looks at video games from two view points. We analyze games on a secular level which will break down a game based on its graphics, sound, stability and overall gaming experience. If you’re concerned about the family friendliness of a game, we have a separate moral score which looks at violence, language, sexual content, occult references and other ethical issues.